Momentum

WXPN’s XPoNential Music Festival is back again in 2022 with an incredible lineup. The Two Bridges Wine, Beer, & Spirits Trail has partnered with Visit South Jersey to provide concert-goers with a very unique experience at this festival. With much gratitude to Visit South Jersey who helped facilitate their involvement in the festival, Two Bridges is very excited to offer tastings, meet & greets with the winemakers, and so much more across the entire weekend. What can you expect from WXPN’s Music Festival? How can you make the most of the event? Find out now.

WXPN XPoNential Music Festival 2022

September 16th through 18th are going to be three unforgettable days of music along the Camden waterfront. Here in Jersey, we consider this the perfect way to kick off fall activities. With headliners such as The War on Drugs, Patti Smith, The Revivalists, and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, this year’s festival is going to draw an incredible audience. Guests can expect three days of amazing musical acts, unique vendors to explore, and a great experience at the Visit South Jersey tent. The Two Bridges team sees this festival as not only an opportunity to hear live music from some of your favorite artists, but to also put the spotlight on budding artists. “I love the opportunity to see those acts that are just breaking into the scene, such as Geese or The Tisburys,” said Bo Rains, Executive Director of the Two Bridges Wine, Beer, & Spirits Trail.

How To Make the Most of a Music Festival

Two Bridges’ #1 tip for making the most of this year’s festival: keep your phone on do not disturb. This festival is going to bring together music, food, drinks, and people that you’ll never forget. Don’t let yourself miss a beat. If you’re traveling from out of state or looking to get the most out of the weekend, take this time to explore Jersey even more.

“Throughout the entire weekend, we’ll have representatives from some of our wineries, as well as, some of our Trail partners, like the Garden State Wine Growers Association, on hand to tell you all about the wonderful things to see and do in South Jersey”

You’ll learn from the local experts what your next stop should be. Ready to plan your trip? Explore Visit South Jersey and Two Bridges Trail for travel ideas.

Discover Two Bridges Wine, Beer, & Spirits Trail

When asked about why Two Bridges chose to sponsor this event specifically, Bo stated: “WXPN really has been supportive of the Trail over the years and we were excited to find a way to showcase our wineries as the exclusive wine provider for the event. We have all been really excited from the beginning about making our involvement in the Festival part of a much larger experience that encourages concert-goers to return to explore the Two Bridges Wine, Beer, & Spirits Trail beyond the three day event.”Be sure to stop by and say hello if you are at the Festival! Two Bridges will have a special giveaway for those who mention this article! Not to mention, they’ll be located across from the Animal Adoption Booth with puppies. Plan your trip today!

As summer draws to an end, it’s time to make the most of New Jersey’s incredible produce while it’s still in season. Our favorite way to do so is by combining them with our favorite spirits to make refreshing summer cocktails. There’s nothing better on a hot day than having a cold drink in hand. Here’s what we’re shaking up for September.

Bourbon Rickey

A time-tested and simple cocktail, a Bourbon Rickey is the perfect way to bring out the best in your bourbon of choice. This cocktail gained popularity around the 1890s, but was created long before that. It provides refreshment without an overpowering sweetness, and there’s a good chance you have everything on hand to make it now.

How to Make a Bourbon Rickey

• 1.5 oz Independent Bourbon
• 1/2 lime
• Sparkling water
  

1. Fill a highball with ice. Squeeze your lime over top and drop it into the glass.
2. Add bourbon, finish with sparkling water. Give it a gentle stir and serve.

Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

Sweet, simple, and tangy. This cocktail makes the most of this year’s vibrant watermelon yield. This hydrating drink pairs perfectly with salty summer foods, such as a burger and fries or kebabs on the grill. Learn how to make your own below.

How to Make a Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

• 2 oz watermelon juice
• 1.5 oz Pine Tavern’s Muddy Run Jersey Style Vodka
• 1/2 lime
• 1 tsp honey
• Fresh lime & watermelon wedges to serve
  

1. If you don’t have purchased watermelon juice, blend around 2 cups of cubed watermelon thoroughly and strain it through a sieve. This will give you around 2 cups of watermelon juice to work with.
2. Fill a shaker halfway with ice. Add your watermelon juice, vodka, lime, and honey, and shake vigorously.
3. Pour and garnish with a watermelon wedge and a slice of lime.

Garden State of Mind

Not for the faint of heart, “Garden State of Mind” is a complex but rewarding craft cocktail. Layered flavors of fresh tomato, jalapeno, and white rum come together to create a garden symphony. Here’s how to make yours:

How to Make a Garden State of Mind

• 1.5 oz Mission Spirits White Rum
• 1.5 oz Spicy Celery Syrup
• 3.5 oz Tomato Coulis
• Salt, chilli, and lime for rim

Tomato Coulis

• Handful of cherry tomatoes
• 3 slices heirloom tomato
• 3 slices beefsteak tomato

Spicy Celery Syrup

• 8-12 celery hearts
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 slices jalapeno
  

1. To create Celery Syrup, combine celery and water in a blender. Blend thoroughly. Add that mixture to a pot with the sugar and jalapeno. Bring to a simmer until thickened.
2. To create Tomato Coulis, add all tomatoes to a blender and cover with water. Blend thoroughly. Strain mixture through cheesecloth.
3. Rim glass with salt, chili, and lime mixture. Then fill glass with ice.
4. Add white rum and celery syrup into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into glass.
5. Slowly pour tomato coulis into the glass to layer the cocktail.

Painkiller

A Painkiller is the perfect drink for an evening on the back porch. The flagship drink of the Virgin Islands, this cocktail is the epitome of fruity and refreshing. Here’s how to make your own:

How to Make a Painkiller Cocktail

• 2 oz Striped Lion’s Rum Collectors’ Reserve 2020
• 4 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• 1 oz Coco Lopez (or cream of coconut)
• Nutmeg for finishing
  

1. Fill a shaker halfway with ice. Add in rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and Coco Lopez. Shake vigorously.
2. Pour into a glass over ice. Finish with a light dusting of nutmeg.

This month we’re featuring Independent Spirits Distillery, a family-owned and operated craft distillery on ten acres of farmland in Woolwich, New Jersey. Independent Spirits began from the motivation to create truly distinctive spirits from the bounty of fruits and grains in the South Jersey countryside.

Every drop of spirits they produce are truly handcrafted. They buy local grains, mill, mash, and distill them. Kerry Thomsen, owner of Independent Spirits Distillery, told The Courier Post: “I’ve been distilling since five minutes after the state gave me permission.” Having their hands in every step of the process is what creates their unique & authentic flavors. Their spirits are all about reflecting the rich fruits & grains of South Jersey, as well as their Danish and Irish American heritage.

The Origins of Independent Spirits

Independent Spirits became a proud part of the craft distilling movement back in 2013, and they’re here to stay. Every drop of Independent Spirits has always and will always be a true craft of South Jersey. Using only locally-grown grains & fruits, water from their private well, and completing the production in the Independent Spirits’ barn, their drinks are proudly crafted from the land.

Independent Spirits is founded on a few unbendable principles: never sourcing commercial spirits that could be rebottled as their own, purchasing all grains & ingredients from local farm families, and ensuring the distillation process stays in their own hands. It’s these key factors that have set Independent Spirits apart from the rest. Their custom-made Mueller still is the centerpiece of the operation. Made in Germany, erected at the Independent Spirits barn, it’s at the heart of turning grain into spirits.

Visit Independent Spirits Distillery

The distillery features a bright, comfortable tasting room and an adjoining patio. Guests are invited to bring food, sit and relax while enjoying the gorgeous South Jersey view and a cocktail. Their main offerings are craft spirits & cocktails, but they keep many other refreshments on hand for their guests. Enjoy a delicious cup of hot coffee from a local craft coffee roaster, or choose from a wide selection of teas and juices.

Taste an Independent Spirits Classic

Independent Spirits offers a wide-variety of drinks, from a smooth Vodka, Apple Pie Moonshine, all the way to their famous Bourbon. For cocktail lovers, we recommend the Whiskey Sour. A smooth combination of Independent’s Whiskey, simple syrup, lemon juice, and a foamy egg white. A delicious classic served in a cool coupe. If you’re ready to experience Independent Spirits in their purest form, try a glass of Independent Bourbon. Made from local grains, fermented, distilled, and aged at Independent Spirits Distillery in the heart of South Jersey.

Best Distilleries in Jersey

Explore the best craft distilleries South Jersey has to offer along the Two Bridges Trail. The Trail offers a full spectrum of flavors you’ll want to experience. We’re a collective of Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries located between the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the Ben Franklin Bridge in the great Garden State. Stay overnight and enjoy a variety of art, music, festivals, entertainment, shopping, and amazing food. Plan your trip today.

Summer is here and in full swing. In South Jersey, summer means enjoying some of the East Coast’s finest fruit, sandy weekends at the beach, and sipping on something refreshing in the evening. What are the best wines to enjoy this summer? Here’s what we’re cooling off with in 2022.

Blanc NU – Chardonnay | Auburn Rose Vineyards

Blanc NU is a refreshing, bright white wine with enticing aromas of the outdoors on a summer day. Fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks at Auburn Rose Vineyards, you’ll taste nothing except the clean flavors of the grapes & growing conditions of 2018. Blanc NU pairs well with delicate fish dishes, oysters, and green vegetables (asparagus, zucchini, fresh peas, artichokes). Perfect alongside a light summer dinner.

Sunset Sangria – Fredonia | Cedar Rose Vineyards

The drink that feels like a summer evening on the back porch. Made from 100% Fredonia, the newest member to the Cedar Rose family is sure to delight with bright, fruity notes of red berries. Sunset Sangria provides a clean, fresh, and sweet experience to its drinker. Best served as dessert, either alone or accompanied by chocolate and fresh fruit.

Jessica Rose 2018 – Vidal Blanc | Salem Oak Vineyards

Dry, crisp, and refreshing are the best terms to describe Jessica Rose. This Salem Oak wine is like a Sauvignon Blanc or “Champagne without the bubbles.” Perfect for a light, summery drink. Best served alongside chicken or fish, we recommend pairing it with these tangy, savory chicken kebabs.

Strawberry | DiBella Winery

We’re sipping on DiBella Winery’s Strawberry Wine poolside this year. Don’t miss out on a glass of this sweet wine made from fresh Jersey strawberries grown & nurtured at Dalton Farms. It’s no surprise that strawberries are best paired with chocolate. We recommend serving this wine alongside chocolate or delicate baked goods.

Nectarine Table Wine | Cedarvale Winery

We enjoy as much Jersey fruit as we can in the summer. That includes Cedarvale Winery’s light & juicy Nectarine Wine. This crisp white wine is made with local nectarines, and features subtle notes of peach as well. We recommend pairing this delicate glass with a charcuterie board. Think provolone, brie, green grapes, and French baguettes.

Grüner Veltliner 2019 | Bellview Winery

From Bellview Winery, this Gruner Veltliner is an Austrian varietal that displays abundant notes of golden delicious apple, lime zest, pear, and greens. Hints of white pepper and a brisk acidity make this a great pairing for a wide variety of dishes. We recommend pairing with a light & herbaceous foods, such as Pho or Vietnamese spring rolls.

Cabernet Franc Rosé | Terra Nonno Winery

Summer wine does not have to mean sweet wine. We recommend Terra Nonno’s Cabernet Franc Rosé for a summer twist on a classic wine. A dry, light-bodied wine with a refreshing, savory taste. Easy drinking and easy on the palate. It’s a perfect match for vegetarian dinners, such as grilled vegetables, lentil soup, or Mediterraneén food.

Rosé Estate | William Heritage Winery

This dry rosé vintage from William Heritage brings flavors of strawberry and goji berry, aromas of bubble gum and white pepper. This rosé offers a mineral and juicy mouthfeel that delights the senses. Best paired with sushi for an easy & exciting summer dinner.

Best Wine in New Jersey

Summer in South Jersey is about experiences. Discover some of the finest wineries, breweries, and distilleries New Jersey has to offer along the Two Bridges Trail. We’ll take you everywhere from historic towns to lush landscapes to find your new favorite drink. Plan your trip today.